Remembrance Sunday at Bristol Cathedral
The normal bustle of the city centre fell silent as the chimes of Bristol Cathedral struck 11am yesterday to commemorate Remembrance Sunday and the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Hundreds of people who had gathered in St Augustine's Parade together with civic dignitaries, servicemen and women observed an impeccable two-minute silence.
The only sound was the leaves being blown around the city centre by a blustery wind as a lone solider, head bowed and rifle upturned stood in front of the cenotaph.
Among those who gathered on College Green before marching to the Cenotaph was Jamie Cooper from Kingswood, who at 18 became the youngest soldier to be injured in Iraq in November 2006.
In contrast, one of the last surviving veterans of the First World War, Harry Patch, aged 110, made his annual pilgrimage to honour his fallen comrades at a service at Wells Cathedral.
6 Comments
by gerry, bristol
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 5:55PM
“It saddens me each year as I watch the rememberance parades, all those lives lost and for what ? such a waste.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 11:53AM
“Shelly, at 11 am this morning, I spent 2 minutes in quite remberance of the people (including members of my own family) who gave their lives in numerous wars and conflicts over the years so to be told by someone I've never met that I am trying to detract from remberance is deeply, deeply offensive and I hope it is a comment you regret making.
My point was that I, like a growing majority of the country, have no interest or belief in religion and wondered if anyone knew of a secular "service" where those who do not believe in god can pay their respects without having to condone religion.”
by Martin, Knowle,Bristol
Monday, November 10 2008, 9:25PM
“I was there on Sunday. I think it is important to remember those that fought ,and still fight for what we think is right. We owe them so much.
If things had turned out differently after the two world wars our lives would not be the same, If we were lucky enough to be born at all.
Steven. I, like many others there, unfortunately just had to switch off when the various religious reps, mainly the christian ones,started talking about- I quote- "creator god". I just thought that in the very very unlikely event that there is or was one, what an awful mess she created.”
by Shelly, Bristol
Monday, November 10 2008, 6:30PM
“Change the record Steven.
Religious or not it means the same.Stop trying to detract from something that ia so important.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Monday, November 10 2008, 4:26PM
“Does anyone know of where a secular rememberance service (one not hijacked by the religious) is held?”
by spirit, staple hill
Monday, November 10 2008, 3:20PM
“This was my first ever visit to a Remembrance Parade and was very moved by the atmostphere and the amount of people attending.
There were one or two errors but in the grand scheme of things it was irrelevent.
Well done to all involved and my heart felt wishes go out to all the families who have lost family members due to the wars they have fought in.”